Well casing running, cementing and flushing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Running, cementing and flushing apparatus for wells disposed under a body of water, including a casing hanger body releasably secured to a running tool for lowering well casing in a well bore and landing the body in a wellhead housing, circulating fluid, followed by cementitious material, being pumped through the casing to cement the latter in place, the apparatus then being conditioned, while remaining in the wellhead housing, to flush excess cementitious material from the wellhead housing, particularly in the region where a seal assembly is to be subsequently disposed for effecting a seal between a casing hanger body and wellhead housing.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,885,625

Ahlstone May 27, 1975 1 WELL CASING RUNNING, CEMENTING 3,590,922 7/1971 Slack 166/208 AND FLUSHING APPARATUS 3,789,925 2/1974 Brown 166/125 [75] Inventor: Arthur G. Ahlstone, Ventura, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Vetco Offshore Industries, Inc.,

Ventura, Calif.

[22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 440,339

[52] US. Cl. 166/181; 166/184; 166/208 [51] Int. Cl E2lb 43/10 [58] Field of Search 166/208, 212, 184, 125, 166/181, 131

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,085,997 7/1937 Phipps 166/131 2,221,204 11/1940 Santiago 166/131 2,670,045 2/1954 Arinentrout 166/208 3,543,847 12/1970 Haeber 166/208 Primary Examiner-James A. Leppink Attorney, Agenflor FirmBernard Kriegel [5 7] ABSTRACT Running, cementing and flushing apparatus for wells disposed under a body of water, including a casing hanger body releasably secured to a running tool for lowering well casing in a well bore and landing the bodyin a wellhead housing, circulating fluid, followed by cementitious material, being pumped through the casing to cement the latter in place, the apparatus then being conditioned, while remaining in the wellhead housing, to flush excess cementitious material from the wellhead housing, particularly in the region where a seal assembly is to be subsequently disposed for effecting a seal between a casing hanger body and wellhead housing.

24 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEB MY 2 7 m P ATENIED HAY 2 71975 SHEET PATEHTEB HAYZYIQTS SHEET WELL CASING RUNNING, CEMENTING AND FLUSHING APPARATUS The present invention relates to underwater well ap paratus, and more particularly to apparatus for running a casing string in a well bore, cementing the casing string in place, and flushing excess cement from the sealing region between a casing hanger body and a surrounding wellhead housing at the top of the well bore.

In the drilling and completion of subaqueous or subsea well bores extending downwardly from the floor of a body of water, apparatus has been provided for lowering a casing string through a wellhead housing at the top of the well and into the well bore, and for landing a hander body secured to the upper end of the casing string in the wellhead housing. A sealing region or space is present between the hanger body and housing. The casing string is cemented in place and a suitable seal structure is then disposed in the sealing region to provide an effective seal between the hanger body and the surrounding wellhead. An apparatus employed in the performance of the above operations is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No- 3,492,026.

In the cementing of the well casing in the well bore, excess cement slurry might be pumped into the well bore, flowing upwardly around the casing and into the sealing region between the casing hanger body and the wellhead housing. Even in the absence of excess cement, debris or other foreign substances might be present in the sealing region. The excess cement, debris or other foreign substances could interfere with the effective sealing of the space between the hanger body and wellhead housing, allowing undesirable fluid leakage through the sealing region.

By virtue of the present invention, the sealing region can be flushed with relatively clean fluid to remove the excess cement slurry, debris, and the like, thereby insuring the subsequent sealing or packoff of the space between the wellhead housing and easing hanger body. Apparatus is provided in which the casing hanger body and easing string secured thereto can be lowered through the wellhead housing, the hanger body landed in the housing, the casing string cemented in the well bore, and the sealing region between the hanger body and wellhead flushed with cleaning fluid, all with a single trip of the apparatus through and into the wellhead. The flushing fluid is pumped down through a tubular running string secured to a running tool releasably secured to the hanger body, the fluid being directed to flow into a flushing device surrounding the casing hanger body and downwardly toward the sealing region, cement, and other undesired substances, then passing upwardly around the flushing device and through the wellhead housing to be conducted to a floating drilling vessel or platform at the top of the body of water for suitable disposal. The running tool is releasably secured to the hanger body, release being effected by mechanical means or by hydraulic means, preferably after the cementing string has been cemented in place.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic view of a subaqueous well bore being drilled from a floating drilling vessel through associated equipment, including apparatus located at the floor of the body of water;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section, parts being located in side elevation, of an embodiment of the invention located at the floor of the body of water;

FIG. 3 is a quarter longitudinal section of an enlarged scale, taken along the line 33 on FIG. 2, disclosing a running tool and flushing apparatus coupled to the casing hanger landed in a wellhead housing;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the apparatus in a condition for flushing material from a region externally of thecasing hanger body;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a quarter sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 5, illustrating a running tool body coupled to a hanger body landed in a surrounding wellhead housing;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, with the running tool in a released condition with respect to the hanger body;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 6 and 7 disclosing the running tool elevated with respect to the hanger body to permit flushing of a region externally of the hanger body; and

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 disclosing the mechanical release of the running tool from the hanger body. 1

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a well bore A drilled below a body of water B from a drilling vessel C floating at the surface of the water, a marine riser D extending from the drilling vessel downwardly to a suitable connector E attached to a blowout preventer stack F, which is connected through a suitable connector G to a wellhead housing H disposed within a base J mounted on the floor K of the body of water. The wellhead housing H has a string of casing L extending into the well bore. The upper end of the wellhead housing is secured to the connector member 10 by coupling dogs 11 received with circumferential recesses 12 in the wellhead housing, the coupling mechanism or connector being of any suitable type, such as the connector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,321,217. As shown in FIG. 2, a suitable seal or gasket ring 13 prevents leakage between the upper end of the wellhead housing H and the connector member 10 thereabove.

In the embodiment of invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, a casing hanger body 14 is secured to the body 15 of a running tool threadedly connected to the lower end of a tubular running string 16 extending through the marine riser D to the drilling vessel C. The specific connection illustrated is a left-hand male thread 17 on the outer portion of the running tool body meshing with a left-hand female thread 18 in the interior of the upper portion of the hanger body. A plurality of circumferentially spaced transverse ports 19 extends from the inner passage 20 of the running tool body to its exterior immediately above the external thread 17, there being one or more seal rings 21 on the exterior of the running tool body 15 sealingly engaging a companion cylindrical seat 22 in the upper portion of the hanger body 14.

A plurality of seal rings 23 is disposed on the exterior of the lower portion of the running tool body, these seal rings being adapted to sealingly engage a lower cylindrical seal seat 24 on the interior of the hanger body when the hanger body 14 and running too] body 15 are threadedly secured together, as disclosed in FIG. 3. One or a plurality of these seal rings are adapted to sealingly engage an intermediate cylindrical seal seat 25 disposed above a lock ring groove 26 between the intermediate and lower seats when the running tool body has been unthreaded from the hanger body, with its male threads 17 disposed adjacent to the uppermost female threads 18 of the hanger body, as disclosed in FIG. 4.

When the running too] body 15 is threadedly secured to the hanger body 14, the upper seal rings 21 seal against the upper cylindrical seat 22 and the lower seal rings 23 seal against the lower cylindrical seat 24, preventing outward flow of fluid from the central passage of the running tool through the ports 19. However, when the running tool body hasbeen released from the hanger body 14 and is in the position disclosed in FIG. 4, the upper seal rings 21 have been elevated above their companion cylindrical seat 22, the ports 19 being open to permit passage of fluid therethrough and to the exterior of the running tool body 15 and the hanger body 14. At this time, the lower seal rings 23 are in sealing engagement with the upper cylindrical seal seat 25 to prevent fluid from passing downwardly between the running tool body and the hanger body.

The body 14 has a landing ring threadedly secured thereto, which has a tapered surface 31 adapted to rest upon a companion seat 32 in the wellhead housing H, in order that the hanger body can support a string of well casing M threadedly secured thereto and extending downwardly into the well bore. A split lock ring 33 is disposed in a peripheral groove 34 in the hanger body, resting upon the upper end of the landing ring 30.

This lock ring is initially in a contracted position, but

is adapted to be expanded outwardly into an opposed circumferential lock groove 35 in the wellhead housing to prevent upward movement of the casing string M and the hanger body with respect to the wellhead housing. Circumferentially spaced, longitudinal flow passages or grooves 36 are provided in the lower portion of the hanger body 14 to permit circulating fluid and cement slurry to flow upwardly through the interior of the landing ring and into the annulus 37 between the hanger body and wellhead housing H. The lower portion 37a of this annulus is defined between an external peripheral sealing surface 38 on the hanger body above the flow passages 36 and an opposed internal cylindrical sealing surface 39 in the wellhead housing. A suitable packing assembly (not shown) is adapted to be moved into the annular space to be sealed against the opposed external and internal surfaces and to also engage the lock ring and expand it outwardly into the lock groove.

A flushing device is provided for flushing or cleaning the annular space or sealing region 37a between the hanger body 14 and wellhead housing H. A deflector sleeve 40 is mounted on the running tool body 15, this sleeve having an upper flange 41 engaging the upper end of the body, a split snap ring 42 being disposed in an internal groove 43 in the sleeve and engaging a lower shoulder 44 on the body, in order that the deflector sleeve will move longitudinally with the running tool body. To prevent fluid leakage between the sleeve and body, aseal ring 45 is mounted on the body and sealingly engages the inner wall of the deflector and flushing sleeve 40. When the running too] body 15 and deflector sleeve 40 occupy the positions disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower portion or skirt 46 of the deflector sleeve surrounds the upper portion of the hanger body 14 and is laterally spaced outwardly therefrom to provide a passage 47 through which fluid discharged from the ports 19 can flow, this fluid discharging into the annular seal assembly region 37a to flush such region of undesired substances. The flow then continues upwardly through the annular space 48 between the deflector sleeve and housing H for upward passage around the tubular running string 16 to the drilling vessel C. I

In the use of the apparatus, an appropriate length of casing string M is lowered from the drilling vessel through the marine riser D and the wellhead housing H into the well bore A. The hanger body 14 is threadedly secured to the upper end of the uppermost casing section, and the running tool 15, with the deflector sleeve 40 mounted thereon, is then disposed into and around the hanger body 14. The running tool body is rotated in an appropriate direction to fully threadedly secure it to the casing hanger body 14, with the upper and lower seal rings 21, 23 sealingly engaging the uppermost and lowermost cylindrical seats 22, 24 on the interior of the casing hanger body, the skirt 46 surrounding the upper portion of the hanger body. The casing string M and hanger body 14 are lowered by the tubular running string 16, which is threadedly secured to the running tool body 15, until the landing ring 30 engages the well housing seat 32 (FIG. 3). Circulating fluid can now be pumped down through the tubular running string 16, running tool 15 and the casing M, followed by the desired quantity of cement slurry, the circulating fluid and following cement slurry discharaging from the casing shoe (not shown), or other desired casing point, into the annulus between the casing string and the surrounding well bore, or other casing string of larger diameter that may have previously been disposed in the well bore. The circulating fluid flows upwardly from the annulus and through the flow passages 36 and up through the annulus 48 between the housing H and deflector sleeve 40, and around the tubular string 16 toward the drilling vessel C. If the casing string is to be cemented in place along its entire length, the cement slurry may rise through the flow passages or grooves 36 and enter the annular space 37 between the casing hanger body 14 and the wellhead housing H.

Following the completion of the cementing operation, and while the cement slurry is still in a fluent state, the tubular running string 16 and running too] body 15 are rotated to the right to unthread the running tool body from the female threads 18, allowing the running tool body 15 to be elevated with respect to the hanger body 14. Such elevation will also elevate the deflector sleeve 40. The disconnected running tool body is then lowered until its lower thread engages the uppermost female thread 18 of the hanger body, which will dispose the flushing ports 19 in its position for the discharge of flushing liquid outwardly into a space 50 that then ex ists between the upper portion of the skirt 46 and the opposed running tool body 15 (FIG. 4). At this time, the lower seal rings 23 will have moved upwardly and will be disposed in sealing engagement with the intermediate cylindrical seal seat 25, the lower portion of the skirt still surrounding the casing hanger body.

An appropriate dart 51 is then lowered through the running string into engagement with a landing shoulder 52 within the running tool body below its ports, there being suitable seal rings 53vmounted on the dart for sealing against the opposed inner wall 54 of the running tool body. Flushing fluid can now be pumped down the running string 16, flowing outwardly through the flushing ports 19 into the space 50 above the casing hanger body 14. Such fluid cannot flow upwardly between the running tool body and the deflector sleeve because of the upper seal ring 45, and cannot flow downwardly between the running tool body and the casing hanger body 14 because of the sealing of the rings 23 against the intermediate cylindrical seat 25 in the casing hanger body. The dart acts as a plug preventing fluid from flowing downwardly through the running tool body 15 and into the casing M therebelow. As a result, the flushing fluid will flow through the ports 19 into the space 50 and then downwardly through the annular space 47 between the skirt and the exterior of the hanger tool body, discharging into the annular seal assembly area 370 between the external cylindrical body seat 38 and the opposed internal cylindrical wellhead seat 39. The seal assembly area is flushed clear of cement slurry, or other foreign material, which is conveyed upwardly through the annular space 48 around the deflector sleeve and the tubular running string 16 to the drilling vessel.

It will be noted that the deflector sleeve 40 has an upward extension 55 projecting above its flange 41, which forms a junk basket 56 in conjunction with the running tool body 15 and the tubular running string 16. As the debris moves upwardly past the extension 55, its flow velocity will decrease, because of the increased annular area around the tubular running string 16, allowing a substantial portion of the debris to drop downwardly into the junk basket portion 56 of the apparatus for retention therein.

After completion of the flushing operation, a suitable fishing tool (not shown) is lowered through the tubular running string, which will become coupled to the fishing neck 57 of the dart 51, the dart then being removed by the fishing tool through the running string 16 to the drilling vessel C. Thereafter, the tubular running string can be elevated to withdraw the running tool 15 and deflector sleeve 40 with it through the marine riser D to the drilling vessel, carrying the debris in the junk basket 56 with it.

A suitable seal assembly (not shown) can then be lowered on a tubular running string through the marine riser, this seal assembly being disposed in the seal assembly area 370 between the external-and internal cylindrical seats 38, 39 on the casing hanger body and wellhead housing, respectively, the seal assembly then being actuated to effectively seal off the seal assembly area, in a known manner. As pointed out above, the seal or packing assembly illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,492,026 may be used.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, inclusive. The casing hanger body 14 is essentially the same as the one illustrated in the other form of the invention. In fact, it may be identical, which enables the body 14 to be used in connection with the running tool disclosed in FIGS. 2 to 4, inclusive, and in FIGS. 5 to 9, inclusive. It has the same landing ring and the same lock ring 33 for coaction with the landing shoulder 32 and lock groove 35 in the housing H.

A running tool body 60 of the running tool 60b is threadedly secured to the lower end of a tubular running string 16, such as a string of drill pipe, this body being releasably secured to the casing hanger body 14. As specifically illustrated, a cage 61 is disposed around the lower portion of the running tool body, this cage having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 62 receiving lock dogs 63, the outer portions of which are adapted to fit in the inner circumferential lock groove 26 in the hanger body, the upper side 64 of the groove tapering in an upward direction and engaging a companion upper tapered outer portion 65 of each lock dog. The lock dogs are shiftable outwardly into the lock groove 26 by a camming and retainer sleeve or annular piston 66 disposed in an annular space 67 between the inner portion of the cage 61 and the lower portion 60a of the running tool body. This sleeve includes an upper piston portion 68 in an upper annular cylinder 69 defined between the upper portion of the cage and the running tool body, seal rings 70 on the body and cage slidably and sealingly engaging inner and outer surfaces of the upper piston portion. A lower seal ring 71 on the cage is in slidable sealing engagement with the exterior of a lower piston portion 72. A cam and retainer head portion 73 is integral with the upper and lower piston portions 68, 72, this cam head having a lower tapered surface 74 adapted to engage a companion outer tapered surface 75 on each dog to shift the lock dogs 63 outwardly of the cage into the lockgroove 26 of the hanger body to the extent limited by engagement of upper dog fingers 76 with an inner side 77 of the cage. Upon full shifting of the dogs into the groove, the entire piston 66, including its camming portion 73, moves downwardly until the lower end of the sleeve 72 engages a stop shoulder 78 of the cage, at which time a cylindrical external surface 79 on the camming portion is disposed behind companion internal surfaces 80 of the lock dogs 63 to hold the latter in the lock groove 26, precluding their inward movement therefrom.

One or a plurality of upper ports 81 extend from the central passage 82 through the running tool body 60 to the upper cylinder space 69 between the cage and running tool body, to enable fluid under pressure to be introduced into the cylinder and force the camming and retaining sleeve 66 downwardly to a position shifting the lock dogs 63 outwardly and holding them in such outward position. A lower port or ports 83 establish communication between the central passage 82 through the running tool body and the exterior of the body below the upper seal ring 70, to enable fluid to flow downwardly along the interior of the camming and retainer sleeve 66 to a lower cylinder space 84 for upward action on the lower piston portion 72, for the purpose of shifting such portion upwardly to remove the camming and retainer portion 73 from the lock dogs 63 and permitting such dogs to retract from the lock groove 26. Such retraction is facilitated by taking an upward pull on the running tool body 60 and cage 61, which will cause the coengaging inclined cam faces 65, 64 to shift the lock dogs laterally inwardly.

The casing string M is lowered downwardly through the marine riser D and wellhead housing H into the well bore A, andthe hanger body 14 then threadedly secured to the uppermost section of the casing string. The

running tool 60b, with the camming and retaining sleeve 66 in its upper position relative to the lock dogs 63, is then lowered into the casing hanger body until the lower tapered surface 85 on the cage engages a companion stop shoulder 86 in the interior of the hanger body, which locates the lock dogs 63 in alignment with the lock groove 26. A locking dart 87 (FIG. 6) is then lowered through the passage 82 in the running tool body until it comes to rest on a stop shoulder 88 in the lower portion of the running tool body 60, with a seal ring 89 on the lock dart engu illlg a sealing surface 90 in the interior of the running U-Ol body be tween the upper and lower ports 81, 83. This locking dart has a passage 91 which establishes communication between the running tool passage 82 above the dart and the port 81, to enable fluid under pressure to be pumped down through the central tool body passage 82, through the port 81 into the upper cylinder 69 to shift the camming and retainer sleeve or piston 66 downwardly to expand the lock dogs 63 outwardly into the lock groove 26 of the casing hanger body and then behind the lock dogs, the parts then occupying the position illustrated in FIG. 6. The locking dart 87 is then removed from the passage 82, through use of a suitable fishing tool (not shown) of a known type, which is coupled to the fishing neck 87a at the upper end of the dart.

It will be noted that the upper portion of the cage 61 has one or a plurality of longitudinal keys 92 thereon, which are adapted to fit within companion slots 93 extending through the female threads 18 of the casing hanger body 14. The key and slot arrangement prevents rotation of the cage 61 relative to the hanger body, but permits the cage to move upwardly with respect to the hanger body when the running tool 60b is to be released from the hanger body. The preventing of rotation of the cage is desirable because of the provision of a left-hand threaded connection 94 between the lower end of the cage 61 and the lower portion of the running tool body 60. As described hereinbelow, it may be desirable to unthread the running too] body from the lower portion of the cage in order that a split snap ring 95 located in a circumferential groove 96 in the running tool body can engage the lower portionof the camming and retainer sleeve 66 for the purpose of mechanically shifting it upwardly with respect to the lock dogs 63 as a result of right-hand rotation of the running tool body 60, which will effect its unscrewing from the cage 61 and its upward movement.

When the locking dogs 63 are located in the locking groove 26 of the casing hanger body, upper and lower seal rings 97 on the cage are in engagement with the lower and intermediate cylindrical seats 24, 25 of the casing hanger body 14 on opposite sides of its lock groove, to prevent fluid flow between the cage and the hanger body.

For the purpose of flushing the seal region 37a between the external and internal opposed surfaces 38, 39 of the casing hanger body 14 and wellhead housing H, a deflector or flushing sleeve 100 is mounted on the running tool 60b, the upper portion of this sleeve being slidable along the periphery of the body 60. Its downward movement along the running tool body, with the latter locked to the casing hanger body 14, is limited by engagement ofa lower stop shoulder 101 on the sleeve with the upper end of the casing hanger body (FIG. 6). The deflector of flushing sleeve is urged to this downward position by a helical compression spring 102 surrounding the running tool body and engaging an inwardly directed flange 103 of the sleeve, the upper end of the spring bearing against a spring seat 104, which, in turn, bears against a split contractable snap ring 105 disposed with a companion groove 106 in the running tool body. When the deflector sleeve shoulder 101 engages the upper end of the casing hanger body, a depending skirt portion 1000 of the deflector sleeve encompasses the upper portion of the casing hanger body 14, being laterally spaced therefrom to provide an annular passage 107 therebetween, this deflector sleeve terminating within the longitudinal extent of the cylindrical sealing surface 38 on the exterior of the hanger body. The entire deflector sleeve itself is spaced inwardly from the wall of the wellhead housing H, providing an annular space 48 therebetween through which fluids can flow.

The hanger body 14, with the casing string secured thereto, is attached to the running tool 60b through use of the locking dart 87, to force the lock dogs 63 into the lock groove 26 and retain them in such groove, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The locking dart is removed from the apparatus through the riser D, the hanger body ring 30 landing on the wellhead housing shoulder 32. The casing string is then cemented in place, in a known manner. Thereafter, the running tool is to be released from the casing hanger 14 and flushing fluid or liquid pumped down through the running string 16 and the body passage 82 for discharge therefrom, the fluid then flowing around the lower end of the cage 61 and through circumferentially spaced slots 109 opening through the stop shoulder 101 into the annular space 107 between the deflector sleeve skirt and the casing hanger body. In effecting such release, an unlocking dart 110 (FIG. 7) is lowered through the running string and passage into engagement with the shoulder 88 in the running too] body, to place a dart passage 111 in fluid communication with the lower port or ports 83 extending through the body 60. Fluid leakage between the dart and the body is prevented by upper, intermediate and lower seal rings 112, 113, 114 on the dart in sealing engagement with the inner wall 90 of the running tool body 60. A bleeder passage 115 in the unlocking dart establishes communication between the upper ports 81 and the running tool body passage 82 below the dart. The upper and intermediate seal rings 112, l 13 straddle the upper ports 81, while the intermediate and lower seal rings 113, 114 straddle the lower ports In effecting the hydraulic unlocking of the running tool 60b from the case hanger body 14, the unlocking dart 110 is lowered into the position illustrated in FIG. 7, and fluid under pressure then being pumped downwardly through the tubular running string and the running tool body, this fluid flowing through the release dart passage 111 into the lower ports 83, from where it flows downwardly into the lower cylinder 84, acting on the lower piston 72 to force the camming and retainer sleeve 66 upwardly to its fullest extent, and to the position in which the intermediate camming portion 73 is disposed above the lock dogs 63. The running tool 60b and its cage 61 can then be elevated to effect inward camming of the released lock dogs 63 from the hanger body lock groove 26, the spring 102 expanding to shift the deflector or flushing sleeve 100 downwardly along the running tool body 60 to the extent at which an upwardly facing shoulder 116a on the running tool body engages a companion downwardly facing shoul der 116 of the deflector sleeve. In this position, a split expansible lock ring 117 in an external groove 118 in the running tool body will be located opposite a circumferential lock groove 119 in the deflector sleeve, the lock ring expanding outwardly into the groove and locking the deflector or flushing sleeve 100 to the running tool body.

By referring to FIG. 8, it is to be noted that the running tool 60b and the sleeve 100 are in such position that flushing fluid pumped down the running string 16 and running tool body 60 can flow upwardly along the lower tapered end of the cage 61 and into the slots 109 of the deflector sleeve. The running tool and deflector sleeve are then lowered as a unit until the stop shoulder 101 of the deflector sleeve reengages the upper end of the casing hanger body 14, which then locates the parts in their relative position illustrated in FIG. 8. The flushing fluid can then discharge from the slots downwardly into the annular space 107 between the casing hanger body 14 and shift 100a for discharge into the sealing region 37a between the casing hanger body and wellhead housing to flush such region of excess cement, debris, or other undesired substances, the flushing fluid and particles carried thereby moving upwardly through the annular space 48 between the deflector sleeve and wellhead housing and then through the annular space surrounding the tubular running string 16 to the drilling vessel.

Prior to release of the running too] from the casing hanger body, and before the unlocking dart 110 is lowered into place, circulating fluid, followed by cementitious material, are pumped down the running string 16, and through the body 60 for continued movement down through the casing string M, for discharge therefrom into the annulus surrounding the casing string, the fluids then moving upwardly and flowing through the hanger body passages 36. After the cementing operation has been completed, the unlocking dart 110 is lowered in place and the running tool 60b released from the hanger body, as described above, the latter then being elevated to lock the running tool body to the deflector sleeve 100 (FIG. 8). The unlocking dart 110 is then removed, through use of a suitable fishing tool, from the running tool body to the drilling vessel.

The running string 16 is then lowered until the deflector sleeve stop shoulder 101 engages the upper end of the hanger body 14, whereupon flushing fluid or liquid is pumped down through the running string and body 60, discharging around the lower end of the running tool 60b and flowing through the slots 109 into the annular space 107 between the shirt 100a and hanger body 14, discharging into the seal region 37a between the hanger body and wellhead housing, flowing upwardly through the annular space 48 between the deflector and wellhead housing and the annular space surrounding the running string 16 to the vessel C. After the running tool is removed, the seal assembly (not shown) may then be lowered through the marine riser D into the annulus or seal region 37a, being effectively sealed against the hanger body and housing surfaces 38, 39.

In the event that the running tool 60b cannot be released hydraulically from the hanger body 14, the cam ming and retainer sleeve 66 can be elevated with respect to the lock dogs 63 by rotating the running string 16 and running tool body 60, the cage 61 being prevented from rotating by virtue of its key and groove interconnection 92, 93 with the hanger body 14. Such rotation threads the running tool body 60 with respect to the cage 61, causing the lower ring 95 to engage the lower end of the camming and retainer sleeve 66 and elevate it with respect to the dogs 63 to the released position shown in FIG. 9. Elevation of the running tool 60b can continue, with the spring 102 at first preventing the deflector or flushing sleeve from moving upwardly, until the lock ring 117 is disposed opposite the groove 119, whereupon it will snap into such groove and lock the deflector sleeve to the running tool body 60. The running tool is then lowered until the stop shoulder 101 on the deflector sleeve engages the upper end of the hanger body 14, the flusing operation then being conducted in the same manner as disclosed in FIG. 8.

The flushing operation can also take place with the unlocking dart remaining seated in the lower portion of the casing hanger body 60, as disclosed in broken lines in FIG. 9. The upward unthreading of the running tool body 60 with respect to the cage 61 moves the upper ports 81 above the upper end of the cage 61, permitting flushing fluid to be pumped down the running string 16 into the running tool body 60 and through the ports 81 and the space between the upper end of the cage and the running too] body, continuing through the slots 109 into the annulus 107 between the skirt and hanger body, the flushing fluid then discharging into the seal region 37a. Elevation of the running string 16 and the running tool 60b then shifts the cage 61 up wardly to cam the lock dogs 63 out of the grooves 26, permitting the running tool and deflector sleeve to be removed through the marine riser D to the drilling vessel C.

I claim:

1. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a Well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means at its lower portion for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal portion and seal region to flush such seal portion and region.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting means being responsive to movement of said running tool to release said running too] from said hanger body.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting means comprising a threaded connection between said running too] and hanger body.

4. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; said releasable connecting means comprising fluid operated means responsive to fluid pressure in said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body.

5. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to-the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; means preventing passage of flushing fluid from said running too] to said flushing means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body; and passage means establishing fluid communication between the interior of said running tool and said flushing means.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said releasable connecting means being responsive to movement of said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body;

7. Apparatus as defined in claim said releasable connecting means comprising fluid operated means responsive to fluid pressure in said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body;

8. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.

9. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool con nectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, means retaining said lock means in said groove; and means responsive to movement of said running tool to shift said retaining means from retaining relation to said lock means to permit withdrawal of said lock means from said groove.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, and means responsive to movement of said running tool to shift said fluid operated means from retaining relation to said lock means.

11. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; a sleeve carried by said running tool and adapted to surround said hanger body and provide an annular space therewith through which a flushing fluid can be directed to said seal region to flush such region; and means for conducting the flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to said annular space.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; means for closing said conducting means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body to prevent flow of flushing fluid to said annular space and for opening said conducting means when said running tool is substantially released from said hanger body to permit flow of flushing fluid to said annular space.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said conducting means including a port in said running tool extending from the interior to the exterior of said running tool; means for closing said conducting means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body to prevent flow of flushing fluid through said port to said annular space and for opening said conducting means when said running tool is substantially released from said hanger body to permit flow of flushing fluid through said port to said annular space.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said conducting means including a port in said running tool extending from the interior to the exterior of said running tool; said hanger body being disposed across said port to close the same when said running tool is connected to hanger body; said hanger body being disposed across said port to close the same when said threaded connection is fully established to prevent flow of flushing fluid through said port to said annular space, said running tool being movable upwardly of said hanger body in response to rotation of said running tool and unthreading of said connection to shift said port to open position permitting flow of flushing fluid therethrough to said annular space.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, means retaining said lock means in said groove; and means responsive to movement of said running tool to shift said retaining means from retaining relation to said lock means to permit withdrawal of said lock means from said groove.

18. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said running tool including a body and a cage surrounding said body, means securing said cage to said running tool body; said releasable connection comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said cage received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable along said cage and running tool body in response to fluid pressure in said running tool body to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.

19. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said running tool including a body and a cage surrounding said body, means securing said cage to said running tool body; said releasable connection comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said cage received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable along said cage and running tool body in response to fluid pressure in said running tool body to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove; said securing means being a threaded connection between said cage and running tool body; and means on said running tool body engaging and shifting said fluid operated means from retaining relation to said lock means in response to rotation of said running tool body and its unthreading with respect to said cage.

20. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with re spect to said hanger body and said sleeve.

21. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; spring means on said running tool engaging said sleeve to urge said sleeve downwardly of said running tool; coengageable stop means on said sleeve and hanger body limiting downward movement of said sleeve along said hanger body; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve.

22. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve; means for closing said conducting means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body to prevent flow of flushing fluid to said annular space and for opening said conducting means when said running tool is substantially released from said hanger body to permit flow of flushing fluid to said annular space.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said run-' ning tool; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said run ning tool; spring means on said running tool engaging said sleeve to urge said sleeve downwardly of said running tool; coengageable stop means on said sleeve and hanger body limiting downward movement of said sleeve along said hanger body; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 1 3,885,625 DATED May 27, 1975 INVENTOR( I ARTHUR G. AHLSTONE It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col 1, line 15: "hander" should read --hanger-.

fiol line 12: "of" should read --on-.

Column line 38: "dlscharaging" should read "discharging".

line 20: before "piston" insert --annu1ar--.

line 67: "of" should read --or--.

Column Colxmn Column 6 8, line 6: "with" should read --within--.

Col line 22: "shift" should read --sk1rt--.

Column 10, line 16: "flusing" should read --f1ushing--.

Signed and Sealed this twenty-eight D ay Of October I 9 75 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting ()jfire r Commissioner uflarems and Trademarks 

1. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means at its lower portion for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal portion and seal region to flush such seal portion and region.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting means being responsive to movement of said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1; said releasable connecting means comprising a threaded connection between said running tool and hanger body.
 4. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; said releasable connecting means comprising fluid operated means responsive to fluid pressure in said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body.
 5. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; means preventing passage of flushing fluid from said running tool to said flushing means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body; and passage means establishing fluid communication between the interior of said running tool and said flushing means.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said releasable connecting means being responsive to movement of said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body;
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5; said releasable connecting means comprising fluid operated means responsive to fluid pressure in said running tool to release said running tool from said hanger body;
 8. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.
 9. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; and flushing means carried by the running tool and operatively associated with said hanger body to direct a flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to the exterior of said hanger body at said seal region to flush such region; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hangEr body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, means retaining said lock means in said groove; and means responsive to movement of said running tool to shift said retaining means from retaining relation to said lock means to permit withdrawal of said lock means from said groove.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8, and means responsive to movement of said running tool to shift said fluid operated means from retaining relation to said lock means.
 11. Hanger apparatus for supporting a tubular string extending into a well bore from a surrounding wellhead having a seat: comprising a hanger body adapted to be moved into engagement with the seat and having a seal portion spaced laterally inwardly from the wellhead to form a seal region therewith, said body having means for connection to the tubular string; a running tool connectible to a running string; means releasably connecting the hanger body to the running tool to enable the hanger body to be lowered to the wellhead seat; a sleeve carried by said running tool and adapted to surround said hanger body and provide an annular space therewith through which a flushing fluid can be directed to said seal region to flush such region; and means for conducting the flushing fluid from the interior of said running tool to said annular space.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; means for closing said conducting means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body to prevent flow of flushing fluid to said annular space and for opening said conducting means when said running tool is substantially released from said hanger body to permit flow of flushing fluid to said annular space.
 13. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said conducting means including a port in said running tool extending from the interior to the exterior of said running tool; means for closing said conducting means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body to prevent flow of flushing fluid through said port to said annular space and for opening said conducting means when said running tool is substantially released from said hanger body to permit flow of flushing fluid through said port to said annular space.
 14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said conducting means including a port in said running tool extending from the interior to the exterior of said running tool; said hanger body being disposed across said port to close the same when said running tool is connected to said hanger body, said running tool being movable upwardly of said hanger body to release said connecting means and to shift said port to open position permitting flow of flushing flow therethrough to said annular space.
 15. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said conducting means including a port in said running tool extending from the interior to the exterior of said running tool; said releasable connecting means comprising a threaded connection between said running tool and hanger body; said hanger body being disposed across said port to close the same when said threaded connection is fully established to prevent flow of flushing fluid through said port to said annular space, said running tool being movable upwardly of said hanger body in response to rotation of said running tool and unthreading of said connection to shift said port to open position permitting flow of flushing fluid therethrough to said annular space.
 16. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.
 17. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, means retaining said lock means in said groove; and means responsive to movement of said runNing tool to shift said retaining means from retaining relation to said lock means to permit withdrawal of said lock means from said groove.
 18. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said running tool including a body and a cage surrounding said body, means securing said cage to said running tool body; said releasable connection comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said cage received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable along said cage and running tool body in response to fluid pressure in said running tool body to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.
 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said running tool including a body and a cage surrounding said body, means securing said cage to said running tool body; said releasable connection comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said cage received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable along said cage and running tool body in response to fluid pressure in said running tool body to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove; said securing means being a threaded connection between said cage and running tool body; and means on said running tool body engaging and shifting said fluid operated means from retaining relation to said lock means in response to rotation of said running tool body and its unthreading with respect to said cage.
 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve.
 21. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; spring means on said running tool engaging said sleeve to urge said sleeve downwardly of said running tool; coengageable stop means on said sleeve and hanger body limiting downward movement of said sleeve along said hanger body; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve.
 22. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve; means for closing said conducting means when said running tool is connected to said hanger body to prevent flow of flushing fluid to said annular space and for opening said conducting means when said running tool is substantially released from said hanger body to permit flow of flushing fluid to said annular space.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upward movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 11; said sleeve being longitudinally movable with respect to said running tool; spring means on said running tool engaging said sleeve to urge said sleeve downwardly of said running tool; coengageable stop means on said sleeve and hanger body limiting downward movement of said sleeve along said hanger body; and means for locking said sleeve to said running tool in response to release of said releasable means and upWard movement of said running tool with respect to said hanger body and said sleeve; said releasable connecting means comprising a groove in said hanger body, lock means on said running tool received in said groove, and fluid operated means shiftable in response to fluid pressure in said running tool to selectively retain said lock means in said groove or permit release of said lock means from said groove. 